Set in the heart of Costa Rica´s rainforest on the coasts of Golfo Dulce in the Osa Peninsula and accessible exclusively by boat, Playa Cativo is a luxury beachfront eco-lodge offering stunning accommodations in true harmony with nature. This 5 stars Costa Rican hideaway is a private and exclusive destination where you will go back to nature in luxury, and its design complements the surrounding nature, its stunning grounds, and its oceanfront setting, where you will truly unwind.

A Lifetime Experience: As you exit the gorgeous blue water of the open Golfo Dulce, you are met with the outline of an upscale beach lodge nestled within untouched Costa Rican rain-forest, surrounded by perfectly lush grounds and incredible wildlife. It is more a state of being than a place – a sense of balance unlike any experienced before. It is a feeling of peace, of awe, of indulgence and care for a holiday that will not be forgotten in a lifetime!

Surrounded by some of the most unspoiled and diverse rainforests in the world, Playa Cativo is a Costa Rica Eco Lodge located on the calm waters of the Golfo Dulce, the inner side of the Osa Peninsula in southern Costa Rica. (Golfo Dulce is the only tropical fjord in the Americas.). Unique in its native beauty, seclusion and natural treasures where everything is pitch perfect, Playa Cativo (Cativo Beach) offers an unparalleled experience for those eager to be immersed in nature and away from it all.

Surrounded by some of the most unspoiled and diverse rainforests in the world, Playa Cativo is a Costa Rica Eco Lodge located on the calm waters of the Golfo Dulce, the inner side of the Osa Peninsula in southern Costa Rica. (Golfo Dulce is the only tropical fjord in the Americas.). Unique in its native beauty, seclusion and natural treasures where everything is pitch perfect, Playa Cativo (Cativo Beach) offers an unparalleled experience for those eager to be immersed in nature and away from it all.

Getting to Playa Cativo is an adventure by itself. The flight from Costa Rica’s capital city of San José to Golfito or Puerto Jimenez is a beautiful experience. The 50-minute domestic flight provides spectacular views of Costa Rica’s diverse landscape, including the mountains, farms, rivers, Pacific Ocean, Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula and finally, the Golfo Dulce. Our friendly staff will meet you at the local airport to take you on a stunning 30-minute boat ride to Playa Cativo while you take in the magnificent coastline with tropical vegetation. You may even be welcomed by the occasional school of dolphins! Just sit back, relax and prepare for the experience of a lifetime!

With its 35,000 acres of tropical rainforest, Piedras Blancas National Park, a former extension of the nearby Corcovado National Park (in the Osa Peninsula), protects some of the last remaining stretches of undisturbed lowland primary (or old growth) rainforest in Central America.

With its 35,000 acres of tropical rainforest, Piedras Blancas National Park, a former extension of the nearby Corcovado National Park (in the Osa Peninsula), protects some of the last remaining stretches of undisturbed lowland primary (or old growth) rainforest in Central America. Of all the land-based ecosystems in the world, tropical lowland rainforests are the most biologically diverse and serve as a refuge for many threatened species. The Park surrounding Playa Cativo is a critical last stand for an estimated 750 species of trees, 140 species of mammals, 367 species of birds (with a number of species endemic to the region), 117 species of reptiles, and almost 10,000 species of insects. The Park offers visitors a chance to encounter rare and fascinating creatures, including all four species of monkeys (capuchin, howler, spider and squirrel monkeys) found in Costa Rica, white-nosed coatis, two species of deer, kinkajous, agoutis, peccaries, and sloths. Although rarely seen during the day, the Park contains five species of cats: jaguars, pumas, ocelots, margays, and jaguarondis. Neighboring the Golfito National Wildlife Refuge, the Piedras Blancas National Park connects with the Corcovado National Park to form and safeguard an important and ecologically diverse biological corridor in the Golfo Dulce.

Due to its humid and hot climate and with its tall dense forestation, this national park is essentially an evergreen primary forest that is also the habitat of many indigenous trees and plants. Also found here are many beautiful waterfalls and rivers along meandering trials as well as stunning beaches and a coral reef offshore. Research has additionally unearthed clues that in the pre-Hispanic period, this park was the home of many native Costa Rican tribes.

Located in Central America, Costa Rica divides the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. It’s a small but remarkable country with many marvels to see, plenty of adventures and activities, and thousands of acres of protected land, reserves, refuges and National Parks that represent over 25% of the country’s territory.

Located in Central America, Costa Rica divides the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. It’s a small but remarkable country with many marvels to see, plenty of adventures and activities, and thousands of acres of protected land, nature reserves, refuges and National Parks that represent over 25% of the country’s territory. Definitely, Costa Rica is a great place for an active vacation.

Wildlife in Costa Rica is varied and fascinating, observing wild animals and bird watching are among the main reasons to travel to the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce area in the Southern Pacific coast of the country.

Costa Rica is home to some of the world’s most beautiful and remote beaches, and is a very popular vacation destination. A Costa Rican vacation is perfect for any family looking for adventure, wildlife observation, and connecting with nature, or to simply relax and get away from it all. Costa Rica enjoys a year-round tropical climate. Playa Cativo is a birders’ heaven, too!

Visitors can enjoy mountains, beaches and rainforests. There is so much to do and see in this splendid and diverse country!

Once in Costa Rica, you can choose between air transportation (50 minutes from San José) and ground transportation (5-6 hours) to get to Puerto Jimenez or Golfito, which are the two local ports of entry to Playa Cativo. The last portion of your voyage is a 30-minute scenic boat ride into the heart of the tropical rainforest, courtesy of Playa Cativo Eco Lodge.

Direct flights enter Costa Rica from many cities in North America, Central America, South America and Europe. A valid passport is required and a visa is necessary for some countries. (Most European and North American citizens do not need a visa). Many international flights arrive at Juan Santamaría Airport (our preferred airport) near San José, and some fly into Daniel Oduber Airport in Liberia, in Guanacaste, which is farther from Playa Cativo Lodge.

Once in Costa Rica, you can choose between air transportation (50 minutes from San José) and ground transportation (5-6 hours) to get to Puerto Jimenez or Golfito, which are the two local ports of entry to Playa Cativo. The last portion of your voyage is a 30-minute scenic boat ride into the heart of the tropical rainforest, courtesy of Playa Cativo Eco Lodge.

SANSA and Nature Air operate daily domestic commercial flights to both destinations. Private charter flights are also available. We are happy to assist you plan your domestic travel arrangements, including to and from other destinations in Costa Rica. Please keep in mind that all domestic flights have a 30-pound baggage limit per person.

Cativo’s Biological Research Station is located in Playa Cativo’s magnificent Nature Reserve, in front of Golfo Dulce. Surrounded by more than 400 hectares of Private Reserve, the unexplored Piedras Blancas National Park and connected with 3 other important protected areas in the Osa Peninsula.

Our ongoing research permits long-term studies to know the status of the different flora and fauna species of the tropical rainforest, including the Wildcats Monitoring program, Coral Reefs Restoration Program, Mammals & Birds Population Programs and many upcoming initiatives will help us preserve biodiversity in the region. This scientific tool allows us to create conservation programs in the area, as well as alliances with organizations on the same objectives and endeavors. Each developed research and monitoring program makes a real estimation of the diversity and population size of the flora and fauna of our nature reserve and the surroundings of the Piedras Blancas National Park, it is a great place to learn amazing aspects of the wildlife rainforest.

For more information on our Reseach Programs or if you’re interested in local history and nature, or enjoy helping others learn, we invite you to become part of our Volunteering Programs, please contact us at info@playacativo.com or visti www.cativoresearchstation.com.

Our Biological Reseach Station offers opportunities for you to share your time and talents, do good and meet new people.

Published rates are subject to 13% tax or applicable taxes at the time if such should change.

Check-in time begins at 2:00 pm. Checkout time is 11:00 am. 3. Reservations and confirmations: To get the most of your experience and fully embrace the magic of Golfo Dulce, we recommend at least a three or four-night stay at Playa Cativo. A minimum of 4 nights stay is required during Peak Season, no check-ins / check-outs on December 31 and January 1st.

Deposits and Payment: An advance deposit, which is equal to 25% of the total amount of your stay, is required to confirm your reservation. Payment of the balance is due 30 days prior to your arrival for Green Season, 60 days prior to your arrival for High Season and 90 days prior to your arrival for Peak Season. Miscellaneous charges are due upon departure with VISA, MasterCard, American Express or Dinners Club. Payments not expedited immediately are subject to cancellation without further notice. Agency bookings can be subject to special terms, please consult our reservation department for details.

Cancellation Policy: Because of our small size and location, cancellations affect us significantly. A last minute cancellation allows us limited opportunity of re-selling our guest rooms. For this reason, we must impose a strict cancellation policy. Reservations for Green Season: Cancellation requests must be received in writing 31 days or more prior to arrival to avoid penalty, cancellations made in writing 30 to 0 days before guest’s arrival will apply a 100% penalty. Reservations for High Season: Cancellation requests must be received in writing 61 days or more prior to arrival to avoid penalty, cancellations made in writing 60 to 0 days before guest’s arrival will apply a 100% penalty. Reservations for Peak Season: Cancellation requests must be received in writing 91 days or more prior to arrival to avoid penalty, cancellations made in writing 90 to 0 days before guest’s arrival will apply a 100% penalty. Late bookings are NON-REFUNDABLE after the credit card charge has been processed. Payments not received in a timely manner are subject to immediate cancellation without further notice with no exceptions. Cancellations must be made in writing and sent by email to reservations@playacativo.com, and all cancellations must be confirmed as received by Playa Cativo Lodge to be considered valid. NO-SHOW and/or un-used room nights, and/or early check-outs are not refundable regardless of the season.

Groups (Payment and Policy) Groups are considered 4 rooms or more. We require a 50% deposit of the total balance 5 months prior to group´s arrival and the remaining deposit 90 days prior to group´s arrival. Cancellation requests must be received in writing 5 months or more prior to arrival to avoid penalty, cancellations made in writing 150 to 90 days before group´s arrival will apply a 50% penalty and cancellations made in writing 90 to 0 days before group’s arrival will apply a 100% penalty.

Smoking: By law, smoking is prohibited in rooms and any of the common areas and trails. However, guests are permitted to smoke in a designated exterior area near the Lodge.

Pets: In order to preserve the wildlife, pets are not allowed at Playa Cativo Lodge.

Force Majeure Clause: Playa Cativo Lodge is exempted for the liability for failure to execute arrangements specified here in directly or indirectly caused by or in consequence of any conditions beyond human control. However, option to rebook is subject to availability of rooms covered by the dates of visit.

Responsibility: Playa Cativo Lodge assumes no responsibility for injury, loss or damage to person or property in connection with any service resulting directly from acts of God, detention annoyance, strikes, civil disturbances, government restrictions or regulations, discrepancies or change in transit.

Set in the heart of Costa Rica’s rainforest across from Osa Peninsula, Playa Cativo is a luxury eco lodge offering exquisite accommodations in true harmony with nature. This Costa Rican hideaway is accessible exclusively by boat and its design compliments the surrounding rainforest, stunning grounds and oceanfront setting. The sustainable and exclusive eco lodge offers seven beachfront guest rooms and gourmet restaurant.

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